Green Street Hammers
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Get to know West Ham’s first transfer target for the January window

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Ryan Manning of Queens Park Rangers celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road on January 21, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Ryan Manning of Queens Park Rangers celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road on January 21, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
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Manuel Pellegrini has reportedly already identified the striker position and centre-back position as areas of need to be addressed in the January window. So, why is a left-back first up for West Ham to buy?

Just who is Ryan Manning, West Ham’s first transfer target identified by Sam Inkersole of Football.London? Well, let’s go over his CV:

  • 23 years old = good to grow/build the squad
  • Republic of Ireland international U19, U21
  • Four years of Championship experience
  • three assists this season (11 matches)
  • Left-back?

Manning is a promising young player who is garnering attention from Premier League clubs including the Hammers. It is extremely curious, however, that Manning’s name has come up in discussion as Pellegrini has just extended both Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Cresswell since the start of the season, both being left-backs. This begs the question, is Manning needed at West Ham?

Yes, yes, 1000 times yes! The options at left-back are not so strong that the team can afford to pass up promising young players who create offense from the backline on the pitch. He would be an absolute steal of a player to get into the team to invest time in to get him up to the Premier League level. Heres why and how it could happen.

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The Hammers deployed this tactic with Ryan Fredericks two seasons ago. The highly-rated right-back was out of contract and West Ham flexed their financial muscle to get him to East London. Frederick’s wasn’t the starter in his first season but was extended opportunities to take that mantle from Zabaleta when he was ready.

Manning can take the same path next season behind Cresswell and Masuaku. Both of these players have issues in their game, for Cresswell it’s injury concern and for Masuaku it’s defensive liability and suspension threat. Despite the position being stacked, both Manning and Masuaku can (and potentially should) play more attacking positions as left midfielders, so this move can also be sold as a depth buy for left-back and left-mid.

He’s been serving up assists and scoring chances this season to the likes of West Ham’s very own Jordan Hugill and has been getting appropriate praise because of it. The Hammers should prioritize buying him in January, a few months prior to his contract expiring, to secure him before others get their hands on him. It also allows for him to be loaned back to QPR and develop further while also ensuring that he is a West Ham player.

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